Hyacinth Mascarenhas

Bio

Hyacinth is a graduate of the George Washington University where she majored in Journalism and Mass Communications. Her interests include cultural, social and political trends in the Middle East and South Asia, as well as human rights issues across the globe.
13 Photos That Show a Side to Sudan You Rarely See in the Media
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
People with no ties to Sudan might only associated it with strife. Headlines seem only to scream about conflict, poverty and environmental issues. While these serious issues cannot and should not be ignored, that narrative still presents us with a…
Vivid Photos Capture the Aftermath of a Massive Gas Explosion in Taiwan
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
A series of underground gas explosions ripped through and devastated the port city of Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second largest city, late Thursday, killing at least 24 people and injuring 270 others. Believed to be the nation's deadliest gas explosion,…
19 Photos That Capture the Beauty of Eid Around the World
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
Eid Mubarak. Selamat hari Raya. Happy Eid. Celebrated with different, local greetings, traditions and festivities, Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a month where more than 1 billion Muslims all over the world fast from dawn until sunset.  The…
9 Beautiful Photos That Show How Young People Come of Age Around the World
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
When does a child turn into an adult? In the United States, that moment probably comes somewhere after emerging from the angry fog of being a teenager. It's a relatively recent construct; in the U.S., the idea of teenagers didn't really manifest…
Why the West Loves Fake Stories About Jihadists Repressing Women
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
Ever since Islamic State (IS) captured Mosul in June, we've seen a steady stream of horrifying headlines about violence, discrimination and extreme brutality.  The scenes from Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, have been troubling: So far, the group…
11 Photos of Breakfast Around the World Show What Americans Should Really Be Eating
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
Think about what you ate for breakfast this morning. Was it fluffy pancakes, buttery waffles, an egg, bacon and cheese sandwich, a bowl of cereal or just a to-go cup of coffee? Despite the often repeated, motherly mantra about how breakfast is the…
9 Images That Show How Argentina Is Still Great Despite Losing the World Cup
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
A sea of pain-stricken but still proud fans gathered Sunday at the iconic Obelisk in Buenos Aires to celebrate their team's gutsy performance in Argentina's first World Cup finals appearance in 24 years. Image Credit: Getty Images.  After the long…
11 Vintage Images That Will Make You Wish You Lived in Cairo in the 1960s
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
In the 1960s, Cairo was a very different place.  Egypt was known as the center of learning and intellect in the Arab world, and Cairo was considered a paradise of culture, conversation and contemporary arts: The city produced artful music and…
11 Beautiful Photos That Show How Weddings Are Celebrated Around the World
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
Wedding season is upon us in the United States, and with it comes a list of old traditions: white dresses, a walk down the aisle, a bouquet toss and a towering, elaborate cake. It also means a couple of new traditions, like the sometimes…
The Relatives of a Murdered Palestinian Teen Receive Comfort From an Unlikely Source
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
As tensions between Palestinians and Israelis remain high, there is a moment of hope in the middle of everything that is bleak: The father of a murdered Palestinian teenager was consoled by the uncle of a slain Israeli teenager. "We expressed our…
A Dutch Court Just Made a Big Statement on Racism — and the Rest of the World Should Follow Suit
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
The Netherlands might be giving one of its long-running traditions a makeover, for a very good reason.  During parades celebrating Christmas, crowds are peppered with revelers in blackface, who are dressed up as Zwarte Piet, or "Black Pete", the…
19 Powerful Photos That Will Change the Way You Think About What It Means to Be American
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
Ask anyone outside of the United States to describe what an American looks like, and there's a chance that they will picture a blonde, smiling cheerleader.  In reality, Americans come in all shapes and sizes. It's a country that is living up to its…
11 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit One of the Most Dangerous Countries in the World
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
Often known as one of the "most dangerous countries in the world", Somalia usually makes headlines for political turmoil, rather than its beauty. Since the fall of brutal military dictator Siad Barre in 1991, the east African nation has been…
Europe Just Made It Clear That Human Rights Are for Everyone – Unless You're Muslim
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
"My husband doesn't dictate what I do, much less the government." Appearing on French television to oppose the burqa ban law in France, Kenza Drider, a 32-year-old mother of three says she lives in fear of attack daily.  "I'm insulted about three to…
How the U.S. Screwed Up Latin America, in 7 Classic Historical Cartoons
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
There's an old saying: "When the United States sneezes, Latin America gets pneumonia." In many ways, it captures the United States' tendency to exert its economic, political and military influence over its neighbors to the south.  Like the Middle…
The Surprising History Behind Ramadan in the United States
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
Picture Ramadan's roots in the United States and you're likely to imagine its traditions and meals being brought over along with immigrants from Muslim-majority countries, only recently becoming a part of America's diverse roster of holidays.  But…
15 Powerful Quotes From the World's Most Humble President
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
"Modest yet bold, liberal and fun-loving." Naming Uruguay the country of the year in 2013, the Economist may very well have described the rising nation's head of state, President José "Pepe" Mujica. Known for his unusual frankness, fiery oration and…
A Radical School in France Has No Curriculum, Teachers or Lesson Plans
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
Imagine school without teachers, books, grades, dorms and tuition.  That's the sort of education you will find at École 42, a school in Paris that focuses on training young students to become the world's most oustanding programmers. It's the sort of…
How Iceland Became the Most Feminist Country in the World
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
No country has achieved gender equality yet — but Iceland is the country that has come the closest.  For the fifth consecutive year, Iceland has held the top spot in prioritizing equality and removing the obstacles that hold women back, according to…
The History of Coffee Began in a Tiny City You've Probably Never Heard Of
By Hyacinth Mascarenhas
Think coffee and you probably imagine a simple, black cup of joe, a mellow cafe au lait or the incessantly long lines at Starbucks to get your triple venti soy no-foam latte.  For many, coffee has become a integral component to start the day, catch…